1. To introduce you to people who haven't heard of you, where was the band from and what was your style of music?
Jack Ruby was from New York, although Chris Grey had met (separately) both Randy Cohen and Robin Hall in Albany, NY. I (Robin) was into Iggy and the Velvets and MC5, Chris was into them and Black Sabbath. Randy was into modern classical music and jazz. He had just graduated from California Institute of the Arts where he had helped build the first Tcherpinin synth.
2. What was your role in the band?
I was the singer.
3. How did the band form and how did you get your name?
I came up with the name because I thought it was both familiar and slightly shocking.
4. How did you develop your unique sound?
We were interested in finding ways to combine noise, free jazz and pop music into a wall of sound.
5. Who were your influences and idols?
We were all serious music lovers - Chris and i both worked in record stores and Randy and Boris had studied music in school. Our influences were many and varied. Everything from the Velvets to Ornette Coleman to Xenakis to John Cale to Black Sabbath to Love to Big Star.
6. When did you record the songs on the album?
The songs were recorded in different studios in New York in 1974.
7. What was your favorite part about being in a band and what your favorite specific moment?
My favorite part of being in a band was sitting around listening to music and rehearsing. Specific moment was when we recorded Hit and Run in a seedy studio in Times Square on a cold winter night.
8. Why did the band break up and never release it's music until now?
The breakup took place over a few years. Boris Policeband left before we recorded our demo at Columbia records. Randy Cohen left after about a year. Chris and Robin continued with bass player George Scott. I left in 1977 because of health issues. Chris and George continued and then Chris moved back to Albany around 1978.
9. What prompted the release of the music on ugExplode?
It never occurred to us to release a record. In hindsight we should have released a couple of singles. Weasel heard the demo and really liked the music. And at the same time a couple of guys in France asked if they could release Hit and Run as a single.
10. What happened to the other members after the break-up and where are they now?
Randy is a writer and radio host. he wrote "The Ethicist" column in the NY Times for twelve years. I am a film producer in NYC. Chris Grey lives and works in Albany, NY. Both George Scott and Boris Policeband have passed away.
11. Do you have anything else you want to add?
I'm very excited about the expanded version of the album that will be coming out in Europe on S cecelia Knows in the Fall. it will feature previously unreleased tracks that were discovered in Randy's mother's storage space.
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